SCHOOLGIRL Rachel Hardy is looking forward to a new life in America, writes Dave Wright.

She has secured a four-year soccer scholarship at the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.

“I plan to be there for four years,” said Rachel, who is currently in the sixth form at Edgbarrow School, in Crowthorne, close to where she lives.

Hardy is a talented all-round sports girl.

She has played football for Chelsea Girls and for England under-17s in the European Championships, as well as for England under-19s in a friendly.

During the summer she plays cricket for the Berkshire senior women’s team and Finchampstead CC.

Hardy, 18, revealed it was last October when she felt she wanted to embark on a new future.

“It was quite a sudden thing,” she revealed.

“I thought it would be great to try to go to America, so I looked into it and all the arrangements worked out well.

“I will be leaving on July 16.”

Hardy said she will be playing football in the mornings at the university, with education in the afternoon.

She first played for Chelsea at under-9 level and had 10 years with them before leaving at the end of last season.

This year she has secured a regular place in the Berkshire cricket team who are captained by new England skipper Heather Knight.

“I have had a really good time playing cricket and football here and I am going to miss the clubs and all my team-mates, but I am looking to the challenges that lie ahead at Virginia University.

“It is going to be very different to what I have been used to which makes me a bit nervous thinking about it, but I am sure I will soon get used to my new life.”

Hardy plans to return to Crowthorne for two months during the summer as well as for Christmas.

Berkshire women’s team manager John Dickinson said: “She is a very talented young sportswoman with a bright future.

“We wish her all the best in America.”